(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The BURN Project by Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams is a multi-disciplinary project which rethinks and explores the many ways black women experience “Burn” (e.g. unemployment, appropriation, dismissal, isolation, gentrification, cooptation, physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, etc.) and simultaneously their unique agency to set things on “Fiya” (aka fire) and heal. It is on display at The Visual Arts Gallery at New Jersey City University through March 3, 2022.
During her sabbatical from NJCU in Fall 2020, she began ethnographic research by interviewing 14 women and created new visual art and literary works to develop multimedia installations. Utilizing gender theories of intersectionality, black feminism, and healing paradigms, The BURN Project unpacks and explores some of the historical, sociopolitical, economic and cultural contexts in which black women suffer(ed) “Burn” locally, nationally, and globally. All viewers are invited to tap into an individual memory of pain and recovery through a personal engagement with the work.
In a virtual artist talk on February 9th from 11:30am to 12:30pm, Dr. Antoinette Ellis-Williams will provide a live walkthrough of her exhibition and Q&A with the audience. The event is free and they will make the recording available on a later date.
The works featured in this exhibition were partially funded by Newark Artist Accelerator Grant (2020) and Newark Creative Catalyst Fund (2021).
IMAGE: (from left to right): Red Sister Reflecting; Orange Leaves Sister; Fight the Power Sister, 2020, digital collage on canvas. All artwork © 2020 Antoinette Ellis-Williams
